How to lie by telling the truth

Here is a great quote on our art from the great novelist, Isabell Allende:

"You can tell the deepest truths with the lies of fiction."

Thanks for reading. If you want to get better at telling your truth with "the lie of fiction" the Ligonier Valley writer is here to help. For more info check out lvwonline.com

Forget the facts, tell me your story!

The world of science and the world of the arts seldom overlap but here is a great quote from cognitive scientist Roger C. Shank that connects the two:

"Humans are not ideally set up to understand logic; they are ideally set up to understand stories."

I spent many, many years as a professional persuader, also known as a salesman. During my career I saw some of my colleagues talk themselves blue in the face going over the facts and details of their products to no avail. Those who could tell a good story describing how the items they happened to be selling would help the prospective clients almost always got the sale. Everybody has to tell stories to get through this world, we writers are just a little more honest about what we do than the average individual.

If you need help telling your stories, be sure to keep checking the Ligonier Valley Writer's website ( LVWonline.org ) for upcoming events and classes.

Thanks for reading.

Jim Busch 

What's the difference between writers and liars?

Here is a great quote for writers and storytellers of all kinds:

"A storyteller makes up things to help other people, a liar makes things up to help himself." Daniel Wallace

This says something about writers, though writers are often thought of as recluses or anti-social, they are motivated out of love. They don't write for themselves (that's a diarist), they write to share with others. We all secretly hope that our work will touch others and maybe make their world just a little better.

Keep those stories coming. Thanks

Jim Busch for the Ligonier Valley Writers

The purpose of story

H. W. Brands is one of my favorite living historians. He has a talent for making a work of non-fiction read like a novel. He understands the value of story. Here is a great quote from Professor Brands on the purpose that stories fill in our lives.

"Stories are simplifications of complicated realities that give us some kind of purchase, some kind of grip on the world."

You can help others get a grasp on some "complicated realities" by submitting your story, poem or work of art to the 2015 Loyalhanna Review. Submissions will be accepted February 15th. Check out the Ligonier Valley Writers website.

Keep your pencils sharp, the ideas flowing and your dream alive.

Thanks for reading this blog--Jim Busch

Stanley Elkin on What God and Writers Have in Common

I love this quote from author Stanley Elkin,

"Why did you put so much suffering in the world?"
And God answered,
"Because it makes a better story!"

I think this makes perfect sense. Stories are what makes life interesting and a kindly creator would never subject us to a boring existence.

Keep the ideas flowing, your fingers on the keyboard and the dream alive.

Please feel free to share your thoughts on this or on anything else
 related to writing. Also please share this blog with your creative friends

Thanks

Jim Busch for the LVW